News release

Province Paying Less, Paving More

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (Oct. 2007 - Feb. 2021)

The province has invested more than $1 billion in roads and highways over the last four years, helping to generate thousands of jobs, support rural economies and provide Nova Scotians with safe roads to travel.

"The investment we've made right across the province in our highways, roads and bridges is record-breaking," said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Maurice Smith. "During this period, we have resurfaced more roads than ever before."

This year, $281 million will be invested in roads, highways and bridges and $82 million will go to highway maintenance.

In addition to the significant investment Mr. Smith stressed that the province is also saving money. The in-house chip-seal operation generated $2 million in savings through reduced tenders. Similar success is expected when the new mobile asphalt plant starts paving this season.

"These savings are being reinvested in our roads," said Mr. Smith. "We are, in fact, paying less and paving more."

Since 2010, when the province introduced its first 5-Year Highway Improvement Plan, 1,900 kilometres of roads have been paved and 400 kilometres have been resurfaced. This year, another 500 kilometres of paving is planned and 200 kilometres of resurfacing.

Most of the work, worth millions of dollars, is tendered to the private sector. So far, the department has tendered 60 per cent of this year's program.

The province will do a small percentage of the work with its in-house chip-seal operation and mobile asphalt plant. Both initiatives were started to introduce competition to select markets.

The 5-Year Plan is available on the department's website at www.gov.ns.ca/tran/highways/5yearplan/2012_13Content.asp .